Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has been linked with a move to Japan.

The 27-year-old, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, is out of contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union at the end of the season and while he is understood to have been offered a new 'pay as you play' deal, he is reportedly poised to reject this in favour of a more lucrative offer from the Far East.

The Irish Independent reports that sources close to the deal say that a Japanese move has become a "viable option" and, while the deal is not yet finalised, "the likelihood is that the flanker will leave his home province after eight seasons of senior rugby".